Chelsea Lose Out To City In Battle To Sign Irish Starlet

Chelsea have lost out to Manchester City in the race to sign Shamrock Rovers goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu, according to numerous reports in the British media.

The Blues and Tottenham were both said to be interested in signing the 16-year-old but the player has opted to move to the Etihad Stadium instead.

Before deciding to join City, Bazunu reportedly visited Chelsea’s Cobham Training Centre while Spurs also made a number of bids for the keeper.

However, it seems that City’s offer was the most persuasive. It is believed the player will stay with Shamrock until he completes his education, before moving in January or the summer in a £420,000 deal.

Bazunu has already made his senior debut despite his young age. In June, he made his first start in the League of Ireland match against Bray Wanderers, helping his team to a 5-0 win. He then stayed in goal for three more matches, keeping clean sheets in all four of his league appearances.

The teenager was also given his first-team bow in European competition too, being named in goal for both legs of Shamrock’s Europa League First Round qualifier match against Swedish side AIK Solna back in July.